Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Major Chandra, an infantry soldier, was posted in the border area with his unit. One day, an informer gave a message that terrorists had entered a school and were threatening to blow it up if some of their terrorist prisoners were not released. The major entered the school premises along with other soldiers but was shocked to see the terrorists armed with the latest weapons. Soon the firing started; the terrorists had an advantageous position and immediately shot down a few soldiers without caring for their lives. Major Chandra entered the school and started firing, which led to the killing of the terrorists, and he got badly injured. Though the Major has recovered, he still gets flashbacks and recurring nightmares.

Pick out the other symptoms related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:

The correct option is Emotional Numbing.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analyzing the Context:
The passage describes Major Chandra experiencing a highly traumatic event (a violent combat encounter with terrorists). Following this event, he exhibits classic symptoms of trauma, specifically flashbacks and recurring nightmares. These symptoms are characteristic indicators of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

2. Understanding PTSD Symptoms:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The symptoms of PTSD are generally grouped into four main categories:
- Intrusive Memories: Such as the flashbacks and nightmares mentioned in the passage.
- Avoidance: Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the event, or avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of it.
- Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: This includes feelings of hopelessness, memory problems, feeling detached from family and friends, and a lack of interest in activities.
- Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions: Such as being easily startled, always being on guard (hypervigilance), or experiencing angry outbursts.

3. Identifying the Correct Symptom:
Among the given options, Emotional Numbing (a state where a person feels detached, unable to experience standard emotions, or feels psychologically flat) is a well-documented and core symptom belonging to the avoidance and negative alterations in mood categories of PTSD.
Let us look at why the other options are incorrect:
- Paralysis: This is a physical loss of voluntary muscle function, not a psychological symptom of PTSD.
- Exfoliation: This refers to the shedding or removal of dead skin cells and has no relation to mental health or PTSD.
- Depressed mood: While individuals with PTSD may experience low mood or depression, emotional numbing is a distinct, characteristic diagnostic symptom directly grouped under the cognitive and emotional avoidance aspects of PTSD.